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According to monthly data released by the Georgia Department of Labor, there were 216,500 jobs in the six-county metro area in November. That’s also an increase of 900 jobs compared to November 2012.

Retail was the driver of the job increase as the state estimated 600 new positions were added since October. With 26,300 people working in retail, it is the highest since December 2011 and December 2007 where there were 26,200 people in the sector.

The holiday season of 2005 was the last time there were more people employed in retail in Augusta.

State labor numbers also show slight increases in local and state government, financial and transportation workers, offsetting slight decreases in hospitality, professional services and construction workers last month. The survey of employers doesn’t include self-employed, which will be included in the metro unemployment rate figures to be released next week.